With StartUpLab@FH, the BMBF is funding the formation of start-up centres at UAS: StartUpLabs serve as a meeting place for members of the respective UAS who are willing to start a business. They create space for experimenting, validating, and testing innovative ideas. The first StartUpLab was founded in March 2020, while the most recent one only began operations in January 2023.

 The first status meeting of the 35 current StartUpLabs took place in mid-March. The representatives of the Labs met in the rooms of the host Precelerator at the HM to exchange ideas and network with each other.

The exchange of experiences on site was particularly valuable for all participants because most StartUpLabs had to start their operations in the middle of the Corona pandemic and were now able meet in presence for the first time. The two-day programme offered a wealth of interesting workshops, pitch presentations, discussions, and lectures.

The first day of the event focused on project work and networking. For example, participants could visit the Precelerator – the HM StartUpLab – or network with each other at a speed dating session. In the evening, a World Café with seven roundtables enabled participants to exchange experiences on various topics.

On the second day, HM President Martin Leitner welcomed the guests and Magnus Milde, head of department 416 at the BMBF, emphasised the importance of the programme for promoting entrepreneurship at universities of applied sciences in his keynote speech. Further highlights of the meeting were the pitch presentations of nine StartUpLabs and a concluding panel discussion.

The participants took home many inspirations for their own start-up support measures. The different age of the Labs as well as the differences between the funded UAS – such as location, size, and existing activities in start-up promotion – were not an obstacle at all. On the contrary: the exchange was felt to be enriching by all participants. The next status meeting will take place in spring 2024 at the TH Köln.